Kidney and pancreas transplants in Jehovah's witnesses: ethical and practical implications

Transplant Proc. 2004 Apr;36(3):601-2. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2004.02.045.

Abstract

Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions but accept solid organ transplants. Six Jehovah's Witnesses received a kidney and/or a pancreas transplant in our center. After a mean follow-up of 31.4 months (range: 18 to 39) all the recipients are alive and well with functioning grafts. However, 1 month after grafting, one recipient required blood transfusions. Hemorrhage was ruled out and the anemia was attributed to drug-related toxicity. Thus, Jehovah's Witnesses can receive a kidney and/or a pancreas transplant without blood transfusions at the time of surgery. However, lifesaving transfusions may be needed later on, which raises additional and unique medical and ethical issues.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cadaver
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / surgery
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / surgery
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Jehovah's Witnesses*
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / surgery
  • Kidney Transplantation / ethics*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreas Transplantation / ethics*
  • Tissue Donors
  • Treatment Outcome